AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to analyze some of the main aspects related to the soil-structure interaction phenomena that occur in the built environment. Since the focus is on existing buildings, after a first part that deals with the types of foundation and the basic methods used in practice for settlement assessment and bearing capacity calculation, some issues of particular interest, affecting the built environment and related to natural and anthropogenic causes are introduced and detailed. Topics such as slope movements and landslides, soil liquefaction induced by earthquakes, deep excavations and shallow tunnelling in urban areas are analyzed, supplying the students the tools to face these geotechnical problems. The geotechnical interventions typical of this area are only introduced, as the specific insights are covered in the course offered in the second year.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

-  foundation types (shallow and deep) and methods  for calculating settlements and bearing capacity.

- geotechnical problems of major concern for existing buildings: slope movements due to landslides; actions induced by an earthquake, loss of bearing capacity and settlements induced by soil liquefaction, problems related to deep excavations and shallow tunneling

- knowledge and skill on design guidelines and methods for possible intervention techniques on the foundation-soil system (underpinning, reinforcement and ground improvement).

SOFT SKILLS:

Personal skill: basic level (case/problem teaching).

Learning skill: basic level (case/problem teaching)

Skill in project creation: basic level (teaching for projects)

TEACHING METHODS

This module uses lectures, tutorial exercises, case histories and practice exercises. Technical visits could also be organized.

SOFT SKILLS:

Personal skill: basic level (case/problem teaching).

Learning skill: basic level (case/problem teaching)

Skill in project creation: basic level (teaching for projects)

"Working students and students with certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course in order to agree on teaching and examination methods which, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods."

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

- Soil Mechanics : an overview

- Existing buildings: foundation types; settlement and bearing capacity assessment approaches.

- Analysis of geotechnical problems:

• landslides and slope movements,
•  seismic aspects related to geotechnical issues (site effects, pseudo static analyses for  foundation stability problems, soil liquefaction) 
• deep excavations and shallow tunneling
• Damage levels and practical assessment methods.

- Intervention techniques on the foundation-soil system:  underpinning, reinforcement and ground improvement.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Set of Notes  (Aulaweb)

Research Papers suggested by the teacher

Matos Fernandes M. (2020). Analysis and design of geotechnical structures . CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

Lutenegger A.J.(2019). Soil Geotechnology in Construction. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

Barnes G.E. (2000). Soil mechanics: Principles and Practice (2nd ed.) Palgrave

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/10719/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of an oral test that focuses on the discussion of two reports that students must prepare independently on two of the topics covered in the course, as well as questions on other topics discussed in the lectures.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The purpose of the oral examination is to assess whether the theoretical and practical concepts relating to the topics covered have been acquired and understood, by means of specific questions and discussion of the compulsory reports and real case studies.  The completeness and quality of the reports (preferably accompanied by case studies on the chosen topic, researched and discussed directly by the student) will be assessed, as well as the quality of the exposition, the knowledge of the topics, and the ability to reason critically.